Chapter 9

• [Ariya’s POV]
• "Colette, what do you mean by 'she is Christopher's temporary wife?'" Ma'am Silvia immediately asked.
• I just found out now that she's Christopher's mother, so I'm really nervous now. Where is that man anyway? His mom looks stern. When she looks at me, it's as if I'm an insect that needs to be squashed.
• "That's what I heard Sir say—“
• "How could you have heard that, huh? It’s just Christopher and me talking back then," I quickly retorted. I was surprised because it was a private conversation between the two of us, so how did she hear or find out?
• "He did say it to me just once, Ma'am Ariya!" she quickly justified. But she seemed flustered. She quickly hid it. "Ma'am, you see how that woman treated me, right? She's only been here for a few days, and she's already acting like a queen!"
• Her eyes narrowed, and it seemed like she wasn't in a good mood again when she looked at me. I bit my lower lip and bowed.
• "What is your name again? Are you the one my son met on a dating site who deceived him and ran away with his money?" Christopher's mother asked directly.
• I was gaping because I had no idea what she was talking about. But what dating site was that? And true enough, I remembered that Christopher always accused me of cheating on him and running away with his money. Even though I've told him multiple times that I had nothing to do with what he's saying, he doesn't listen!
• "Ariya. Ariya Stewart," I replied softly. I don't know why I'm nervous, but I'm really intimidated by her. Then there's Colette, who's been rolling her eyes at me since earlier, even though I haven't done anything to her.
• "That’s a nice name," she commented. "How old are you?" she continued.
• "Twenty-two," I replied hesitantly, almost forgetting to breathe.
• "What's your father's business?" she asked.
• "He's a bank manager, and he doesn't have a business," I nervously answered.
• "Bank manager?" she repeated in a tone I couldn't decipher. "Which bank is that?" She asked with a mocking tone, making my heart beat faster.
• "What are you getting at?" I asked boldly.
• "No. You don't have the right to ask any question just yet. Just answer mine," she said authoritatively, making me almost gaping again. "How about your mom? What's her work or business?" she asked again. I sighed. I didn't know what her real reason was for these questions, but there's probably nothing wrong with answering them.
• "My mother is a principal in an elementary school near our house. And we don't have a business," I politely answered.
• She raised an eyebrow, and I almost gasped as she scrutinized me from head to toe. I swallowed hard because of the way she was looking at me. I'm not sure, but one thing I know for sure, this woman doesn't like me for her son. So what? It's even better, right? Maybe she'll help me separate from Christopher without me having to give him a child.
• "Such a lowly woman, and you dare to act so highly in this household?" she suddenly exclaimed in anger. But my eyes widened at what she called me.
• "What did you say? You're being too-"
• "Shut up! With your level, you don't even have the right to talk to me or breathe the same air as me! Now tell me, which street or bar did my son pick you up from, and you suddenly got married?" she said with a cutting tone.
• Now her words are full of disdain. She's insulting me. And not only did she insult my personality, but also my background in life.
• "Seriously! They were right that you cannot buy class. First of all, I didn't want to be your son's wife. He just kidnapped me and forced me to marry him!" I couldn't help it, and I answered her. Her eyebrow twitched, and she glared at me for my response.
• "My son forced you to get married? You? You may be very pretty, but my son is always surrounded by women of unparalleled beauty, grace, and wealth. And you're saying, he forced you?" she snarled at me.
• "You've seen how audacious that woman is, right? Instead of showing respect, she’s responding recklessly!" Colette suddenly interjected, so the nose of Christopher's mother seemed to smoke even more. This house manager is shameless, she's too provocative.
• "Leave this house now. You have no right to stay here or—"
• "What the hell is happening here?"
• We all turned when Christopher's thunderous voice filled the entire room. His face was stern and angry as he looked at his mother. But his face softened when he turned to me.
• I couldn't understand why I suddenly felt like crying when our eyes met. I should hate him. I really hate him, but I felt a bit relieved that he's already here.
• Earlier, I felt like his mother and this suck-up house manager were going to kill me.
• "Oh, good! It's good that you're here. Come here!" his mother called him.
• "Wait. I will just change my shirt," he said and turned away from us. He just came from jogging, and he's drenched in sweat. I mean, his entire body, including his hair.
• No wonder he has a great physique; he regularly exercises. Maybe this house has its own gym. It's huge, and he's the only one living here with his maids.
• When he came back, he stood beside me, but I didn't look at him. I remained looking at his mother or Colette.
• "Christopher, kick this woman out now. I won't allow someone like her to be introduced as your wife. My God! There are so many crazy women after you, and you're marrying someone almost from the slums!" she declared without restraint, making me almost stand up in a mix of surprise and anger at what she said.
• "No, Mom! And be careful with your words. No one, as in, no one is allowed to insult my wife, especially in front of me! I could make anyone's life hell if I heard another foul word towards her!" Christopher angrily replied.